Nottingham Forest

Tom Gayle
BBC Match of the Day commentator

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After reaching the heady heights of third at the start of November, Nottingham Forest fans were given a reality check following back-to-back defeats by Newcastle and Arsenal.

While newly promoted Ipswich, at the City Ground, might have been viewed as the ideal opponent to get back to winning ways, there is no doubting the devil on Forest's shoulders whispering "another defeat, it's three on the spin, and everyone will quickly forget your good start".

Nuno Espirito Santo's side came through both the physical and mental test, with a performance once again characterised by two of their biggest strengths - the goalscoring form of Chris Wood and a much-needed return of a robust defensive display.

Wood thumped home his penalty, making it nine goals in 13 matches, reaching the tally seven appearances quicker than his previous best ever start to a Premier League season back in 2017. Rather than bask in all the praise coming his way, the modest Kiwi, who is out of contract next summer, explained to me afterwards this purple patch is entirely down to team-mates making his life "easy" by putting chances "on a plate".

When it comes to the defence, their improvement is a reminder of the importance a full pre-season has for any head coach.

Forest only kept four Premier League clean sheets in the whole of the 2023-24 campaign, with just one of those coming after Nuno's appointment in late December.

Following a summer of work, combined with the shrewd recruitment of Nikola Milenkovic to partner Murillo, they have already stopped the opposition from scoring five times in 13 games.

With the 'curse' of Premier League manager and player of the month put to bed at the weekend, Forest head to an out-of-sorts Manchester City on Wednesday (19:30 GMT) with only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer enjoying a better 2024 than Wood in front of goal and the second best defensive record in the division.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

John: Phew. There was a lot riding on this game - we needed a bit of luck and the penalty gave it us. We were doing OK initially, but Ipswich have got spirit and came back into it, so the penalty came at a perfect time to make things easier. It is great to have Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood, Neco Williams and Elliot Anderson back. Jota Silva now deserves his place - he works so hard.

Gary: Forest were pretty solid and organised for the entire game, which is a dramatic change from the previous two seasons in the Premier League. Ipswich Town look the best of the bunch at the other end of the table, and Forest had to be good to win the game.

Andy: A better performance than the last two games, but Callum Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White look rusty. This team can't rely on penalties and Chris Wood... this team needs more of a goal threat if we are going to really make the most of the start we have had to the season.

Michael: We should really be scoring more goals against a team that is second bottom of league, but of course three points is good. I think the current league position is very false for Forest, it gives the impression that they are better than they actually are. It is really great where they are, I just hope they can get more wins.

Ipswich fans

Billy: Town were good in the first half. They weathered the early Forest attack and created some good chances. Second half, they started slowly and were punished by Forest. Although the penalty seemed soft, we have made an error and made the referee make a decision against us. We had very little ideas going forward in the second half and didn't create enough clear chances for our attackers.

Kopmac: Unfortunately we turned up with a 'try-not-to-lose' attitude. We didn't start playing until we were behind. We won't stay up with this game plan.

Mike: We had them and their crowd exactly where we wanted them for 50 minutes - Forest and the stadium were flat. Then, out of nothing, a lapse in concentration gives them a new lease of life, lights up the place and it was difficult from that moment on. We never really showed enough guile to open up a stubborn defence, which went to a back five. A poor result!

Robert: I believe Ipswich are stuck at the bottom of the league, because we are lacking quality players in some vital areas and some of our players are struggling at the top level. I can see that we will continue at the bottom, apart from some good wins from time to time. We need to buy quality in January.

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Former Premier League player Dion Dublin has praised Nottingham Forest defensive duo Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, after the centre-backs kept another league clean sheet against Ipswich Town.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Dublin said: "They were solid at the back. They were always in the right positions and, when they had something to hold on to, they remembered what they had done on the training ground.

"Murillo and Milenkovic were absolutely brilliant. They just stayed in that centre-back spot, side by side, making sure Liam Delap - the danger man - didn't get any chance at all.

"They were able to let the ball roll across them because they knew the other central defender was on the toes of the centre-forward as well. The organisation between them was great.

"Milenkovic wanted Delap in certain pockets because he knew he had two or three yards on him. Therefore he was getting him where he wants him - he was in control of what Delap did.

"The two centre-backs just knew exactly what to do and there were no gaps between all four players in Forest's backline.

"At one point they were in a 6-3-1 just to make sure they held on to the lead they had got. There was just no way through - there were red shirts everywhere.

"They are thinking: 'What are you going to do to get past us? We have got the points at the moment and we are going to hold on to them because Nuno has taught us how to do so.' That's five clean sheets they have had."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United

• West Ham United 2-5 Arsenal

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Chris Wood has become Nottingham Forest's joint-top goalscorer in Premier League history, along with Bryan Roy (24 goals each).

Meanwhile, he is one of only two players to be either top or joint-top goalscorer for two different sides in the competition (Burnley also), alongside Alan Shearer for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Since Nuno Espirito Santo's first Premier League game in charge of Nottingham Forest on 23 December 2023, Chris Wood (20) is one of only three players to score at least 20 Premier League goals, along with Erling Haaland (25) and Cole Palmer (23).

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

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Who do Nottingham Forest call when they need a goal? Chris Wood, of course.

The New Zealand international was reinstated to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench in the loss at Arsenal last time out and he was back with a bang.

Wood started the match on 23 Premier League goals and ended it on 24 as he became the joint-record goalscorer for Forest in the top flight.

After Sam Szmodics brought down Jota Silva in the early stages of the second half, Wood stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched with ease high and down the middle of the goal.

Despite not having a shot on target prior to that penalty, Wood looked as cool and composed as ever as he fired his side up to sixth in the league and ended their run of two straight defeats.

As Forest were trying to see out the remainder of the match with the three points intact, Wood was vital in holding the ball up and giving his defence breathing space as Ipswich pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Up next for Forest are two trips to Manchester as they take on Manchester City on Wednesday before travelling to Old Trafford three days later.

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Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after getting his side back to winning ways: "The main goal was to bounce back from the two previous games. I still believe it has to be like that to go in the game and fight, but organised. There is a balance but the basics for us is not the clean sheet, it is the attitude.

"They are a tough team, we knew that. We started well and they countered the attack. A very tough team. Kieran [McKenna] is doing a great job and they put us against the ropes at the end.

"Chris Wood always takes penalties after training. He is our penalty taker and we totally trust him.

"We will assess the players now. We had players coming back from injury, but we will assess them and then think about the next one."

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Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the win: "It can be tough some days and you have to grind in as a team. We were great defensively. They gave us problems and they are a good side. They have got a good run at home now.

On his goalscoring form: "It is fantastic, but I want to keep going and keep pushing. The team is delivering chances and opportunities. It's easy when they are putting them on a plate [for me].

On the busy fixture schedule: "It is part and parcel of football, especially in England. We know how the schedule can be over Christmas."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

How did did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?, external

Have your say on Ipswich's performance, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Leicester

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Nottingham Forest v Ipswich

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Arsenal - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Nottingham Forest star Chris Wood trusts Nuno Espirito Santo's judgement after being benched for last week's defeat at Arsenal.

The striker played just 27 minutes of the 3-0 loss at Emirates Stadium after the international break. That was because he spent the previous fortnight playing for New Zealand in their World Cup qualifiers, scoring twice in an 8-0 win over Vanuatu and a hat-trick as the All Whites demolished Samoa 8-0.

The 22,000 mile round trip between Nottingham and Auckland meant the 32-year-old was given a breather and he has faith in the decisions made by his boss.

"It's the way the manager wanted it," said Wood before Saturday's game with Ipswich. "I trust what he says and does. He's earned that, from me and from the club. Unfortunately we didn't win the game, but we have to trust what he's doing is the best case for the team.

"I love playing for my country, always have and always will do. We have a big campaign coming up, pushing for the Wold Cup. We have more [qualifiers] in March which will determine if we go to the World Cup.

"It's big high-pressure games that can elevate New Zealand football to a higher level. They mean a lot to me - it's not something I've ever thought about turning down. It's about doing the most I can if the body allows it."

Wood also travelled to America to face Mexico and the USA in September and scored once in the All Whites' 3-0 win over Tahiti in Vanuatu last month.

"Over the years, you learn tricks to put yourself in the best possible recovery status," said Forest's eight-goal top scorer. "We have great physios here and with New Zealand, we can switch into different time zones and loadings which matter massively when you are playing international football.

"I've done it for long enough. I know how to do it. I switch on time zones very easily. I don't see it being an issue at all unless I'm arriving a day before game and that's a different story."

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

For some reason people often think that I am quite petty when it comes to these predictions, and that I occasionally use them to make a point.

So I would like to remind Ipswich fans that I correctly predicted they would draw 1-1 with Manchester United last week and, importantly, the points I earned for that handed me victory in that round of games.

I know that many Ipswich fans were pleased for me and I think it showed that, despite my allegiance to Norwich, I don't hold any grudges against them.

On to this week, and I hope Ipswich get absolutely pumped by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

I should explain that Forest were my boyhood team, so that is the only reason why I am rooting for them here. Mind you, if Forest play like they did in their previous home game against Newcastle, then I will be sending my replica shirt back to the club shop and giving up on them again.

Being serious, though, I like this Ipswich team. They have got some good players and play some good football. They deserved to beat United and would have done if not for a couple of superb saves by Andre Onana.

Still, I expect Forest to bounce back at the City Ground after two defeats in a row. Chris Wood has to be back in the team after starting last weekend's defeat against Arsenal on the bench, but if he plays then they will come out on top.

Edwards' prediction: 1-1

Ipswich did well against United and their striker Liam Delap is very sought after - we are one of the teams who are supposed to be after him.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley, speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast about whether Ipswich can look to Nottingham Forest as an example of what they could become: "They undoubtedly are looking along those lines [of what Forest have done].

"Anything outside the bottom three will do this season. I know some fans have got a bit carried away off the back of the past two results, talking about them finishing 15th or 14th, but the vast majority would take 17th place and then build from that base. Like Forest have done and, with all due respects, smaller clubs than Ipswich Town like Bournemouth and Brentford. Look at those as yardsticks and think, 'why not?'

"Once you get to that stage, I can understand why you are looking at Aston Villa or Brighton who have taken the extra step and gone into European competition. That is a lot further down the road for Ipswich Town.

"I understand completely and do see the parallels between the two clubs.

"It is going to be very difficult if the likes of Wolves and West Ham pick up form - they are going to be down there around the bottom four or five, but let's just hope they can finish somewhere in the top two of that mini-league."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Mum's the word when Chris Wood faces Dara O'Shea at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Ipswich defender and Nottingham Forest striker Wood never played with each other but share a special bond.

They were at West Brom and Burnley at different times but Republic of Ireland international O'Shea lived with Wood's parents, Julie and Grant, when he was a young player at the Baggies.

The couple offered Baggies players digs while they were living away from their own homes.

It meant Wood would return home and, on occasion, find O'Shea - who joined Ipswich from Burnley in the summer - relaxing in the living room.

He said: "A couple of times! Unfortunately, I was never too close to Birmingham the times he was there. I was at other clubs across the country. It worked well for Dara and my parents and they have stayed in contact, at least at parent level with his mum and dad.

"It was a nice way to give back and feel part of the club. They've had a number of boys and one of those was Dara, who's done extremely well over the years. He did well at West Brom, when he went to Burnley and now at Ipswich.

"Mum and dad are extremely nice to take in players as digs parents. It's a great way to give back to a club which gave me a huge stepping stone in my career. They took a big chance on a Kiwi boy from New Zealand."

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Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says the team's "togetherness" is the key to their strong start to this season and they do not believe that they are overachieving by sitting seventh in the Premier League table.

"We can't get distracted or big-headed about what has been happening," said Hudson-Odoi on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.

"We have to make sure we're pushing ourselves daily to get results because every game is important.

"We have high expectations of ourselves because the quality we have in the squad is amazing. If we push each other every day, as players and fans, then the results will come.

"There is nothing we can't achieve together and it is very important to have that mindset.

"Last season was difficult but we pushed together and got enough to stay in the Premier League. Football is not easy but that togetherness makes us stronger.

"We have a good bond off the pitch."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode Shut Up And Show More Football is available now and in this week's show, BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray talks exclusively to Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi about his form, his England chances and the side's season so far.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley also joins the podcast to give a bit of insight about Ipswich Town before Saturday's Premier League game.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson and Danilo will be assessed but could all be in contention, while Anthony Elanga "came out [of the last match] with a very painful situation but doctors are taking care of him".

• After two successive Premier League defeats, the Forest boss said he is "concerned" but that he is "also concerned when we play good and we win because there are always issues to address and to improve".

• On how many goals they have conceded after a good start to the season defensively: "The first reaction we must have as a club, as a squad, everybody - we cannot be this kind of team. We cannot be a team that concedes lots of goals because that moves us far away from winning games. It changes totally the dynamic of the game when you score first or concede first."

• He added: "Our reaction is to work hard and be aware of that and the players realise that the first objective is a clean sheet - simple as that."

• On if there has been an element of complacency: "No, it is not that, it does not have anything to do with that. We look at the games different. Newcastle, Arsenal, totally different games. We are focused on our game. But complacency? It is unnegotiable. That is not part of us."

• Nuno believes things "are going well" in talks over a new contract for Ola Aina, but added: "I am a coach, I give my opinion on Aina as a player and person. But other people in the club take care of these decisions."

• Despite Elanga's difficult start to the campaign, Nuno feels a goal is coming and added: "I would say not a crisis [of confidence]. What is important is this belief that things are going to come, the way he works, the way he tries things. We just have to give him trust that he is going to perform the same way as he did before and even better."

• On the importance of three points against Ipswich with difficult-looking games coming up: "All of December is going to be tough. The points are the same in all the games and all the teams are tough to play against. There is no difference in approach because of our opponents. First, Saturday and then we think about the rest."

Read about Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Callum Hudson-Odoi has created more chances (18) and had more touches in the opposition box (40) than any other Nottingham Forest player this season.